Teaching the Cultural Wealth of Oaxaca, Mexico: Funds of Knowledge for the Twenty-First Century Classroom Summer 2019 Now accepting applications for participants (K-12 Teacher Education majors, in-service teachers, and administrators). Priority for those who work with Latinx students and families and/or teach Spanish language classes. Program includes language courses; workshops; field trips in and around Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Puerto Escondido; and development of curriculum units.

Apply for Funding to Expand Internet Connectivity in Schools ISBE released a Notice of Funding Opportunity/Request for Proposals for state funds to expand internet connectivity in schools. The General Assembly appropriated $16.3 million to fully close the broadband gap in Illinois schools by the 2020-21 school year. Fiber-optic technology delivers the most affordable and fastest network speeds to schools and allows districts to scale up cost-effectively and meet growing bandwidth needs. The $16.3 million in state funding will cover the costs of special construction projects for school districts with federal approval to install fiber-optic cable lines. Applications are available now and due no later than 4 p.m. on Jan. 25. The Learning Technology Center of Illinois is available to provide free assistance to districts to help with their applications.

$1 million available to support teacher leadership and develop teacher residencies Two grants will promote innovation in teacher workforce systems to help address teacher shortage. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released two applications for $1 million in state funds to expand teacher leadership and teacher residencies.The grants promote innovation in Illinois’ teacher workforce systems to help address the statewide teacher shortage.